Although qualifying for the Europa League means extra games, Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson is not showing any signs of worry ahead of the Premier League kick-off.
Roy of the Fulham celebrated his 62nd birthday on Sunday – but the chances are that he left the champagne on ice.
Fans at Craven Cottage love “Uncle Roy”, but it takes something a little bit special to get him excited.
Last season he led the side to their highest-ever finish as they beat the likes of Spurs and West Ham to seventh spot.
But even then he remained calm, despite the fact it guaranteed a shot at European football.
They have already begun the Europa League campaign and, although it means extra games that could damage league form, their boss is not showing signs of worry.
Hodgson said: “I’m going to try to get into the group stages and we will give it our best shot. We all know it can affect your league form.
“And you don’t have to be Albert Einstein to see that when Aston Villa got injuries last year they then decided to use squad players in the Uefa Cup to focus on the league.
“We will just do our best and see where it takes us.”
A horrendous trip to eastern Russia to face FC Amkar Perm awaits Hodgson in the play-off stage – but before then it is time to start domestic matters.
On Saturday the Whites head down to Portsmouth – the scene of the final chapter of their Great Escape in 2008.
The boss has not been too busy in the transfer market so far, but does expect to land three more players before the window closes.
Perhaps the most intriguing factor this term will be whether Bobby Zamora remembers where the net is.
Last season the striker netted just two league goals, but he is already off the mark in Europe this year and – after turning down a move to Hull City – is desperate to prove he can be a hit down by the Thames.
“It is a goal to score some goals and to silence a few people as well,” he said. “But the people who count, my team-mates, know exactly what I and Andy Johnson do for the team.”
Last season Fulham proved that miracles do happen, so don’t rule out the possibility that Zamora could finally find his shooting boots.
And if he does hit a hot streak in front of goal, Hodgson may finally crack open that bottle of bubbly.